AFA Suspends PepsiCo Boycott

Staff Report

Today the American Family Association announced it has suspended a boycott of PepsiCo of the past two years because of PepsiCo’s support of homosexual activist groups. AFA President Time Wildmon in an e-mail release said,"After monitoring the company for several months, AFA is satisfied the company has withdrawn its major financial contributions to gay activist groups."

Thanking volunteers engaged in the effort, Wildmon said, "I truly believe this is a direct result of your willingness to become involved. In fact, more than 500,000 people signed the Boycott PepsiCo Pledge."

AFA launched a boycott of PepsiCo after the company made $500,000 donations to Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) in 2008. Records from PepsiCo, HRC and PFLAG indicate repeat donations did not occur in 2009.

Wildman said, "A few minor issues remain and AFA will continue to monitor PepsiCo, but we feel we have made our point. Boycotts have been a last resort for AFA, and the PepsiCo boycott was started to address issues of concern to us – especially the promotion of the homosexual agenda in the culture.

"I knew we were taking on a huge task. After all, PepsiCo is a huge company. But I knew we had a lot of friends who would stand with us," Wildmon said. "AFA will continue to challenge major U.S. companies to remain neutral in the culture wars rather than to use their resources to promote controversial issues."